When an 18-wheeler or commercial truck crashes into your vehicle in San Antonio, the results can be devastating. You’re up against massive trucking companies with deep pockets and teams of lawyers working to minimize what they pay you.
You need a truck accident lawyer in San Antonio who understands both the trucking industry and how insurance companies operate. At The Texas Law Dog, our team bites back against corporate interests that put profits over safety. Our San Antonio personal injury lawyer is ready to represent you.
Truck accidents differ from regular car crashes in critical ways. The injuries are usually more severe, the liability is more complicated, and the insurance stakes are much higher. Don’t try to handle a truck accident claim on your own when experienced legal representation can make the difference between a fair settlement and financial devastation.
Why San Antonio Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous
San Antonio sits at the intersection of major trucking routes. Interstate 10, Interstate 35, and Interstate 37 all run through the city, bringing constant commercial traffic. These highways carry everything from local delivery trucks to long-haul 18-wheelers traveling cross-country.
Commercial trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded—about 20 times heavier than a typical passenger car. This massive weight difference means truck accidents cause catastrophic damage and life-changing injuries. When an 18-wheeler strikes your vehicle at highway speed, the physics work against you in every way.
Truck drivers face intense pressure to meet delivery deadlines, leading to dangerous behaviors. They drive too many hours without proper rest breaks, violating federal regulations designed to prevent fatigue-related accidents. Also, unfortunately, some are just poor drivers or choose to drive while distracted or impaired.
Common Causes of San Antonio Truck Accidents
Truck accidents happen for many reasons, but certain violations and negligent behaviors occur repeatedly. Understanding what caused your accident helps us prove liability and recover maximum compensation:
- Driver fatigue: Hours of service violations and inadequate rest breaks lead to drowsy driving crashes.
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Driving too fast for conditions or following too closely reduces reaction time.
- Distracted driving: Texting, eating, or using dispatch computers while driving takes attention from the road.
- Improper loading: Overweight loads or improperly secured cargo cause trucks to tip over or lose control.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Bad brakes, worn tires, and broken lights contribute to preventable accidents.
- Inadequate training: Trucking companies that don’t properly train drivers create dangerous situations.
Many truck accidents result from multiple factors working together. A fatigued driver who’s also dealing with bad brakes becomes even more dangerous. We investigate all aspects of your accident to identify everyone who should be held accountable.
San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Types of Truck Accidents We Handle
Commercial truck accidents take different forms depending on how the collision occurred. Each type of accident requires specific investigation techniques to prove fault and build a strong case:
- Jackknife accidents happen when a truck’s trailer swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab, often blocking multiple lanes of traffic. These accidents typically occur when drivers brake too hard or lose control in bad weather.
- Rollover accidents occur when trucks take turns too fast, have improperly balanced loads, or swerve to avoid obstacles. The sheer size and height of commercial trucks make them prone to tipping over, especially when carrying unbalanced cargo.
- Underride accidents happen when smaller vehicles slide underneath truck trailers during rear-end or side-impact collisions. These accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities because the truck’s trailer enters the passenger compartment.
- Blind spot accidents occur when truck drivers change lanes or merge without seeing vehicles in their substantial blind spots. Commercial trucks have much larger blind spots than passenger cars, creating dangerous conditions on busy highways.
- Tire blowouts can cause trucks to lose control suddenly, swerving across lanes or jackknifing. Poor maintenance and worn tires contribute to these preventable accidents.
Serious Injuries from San Antonio Truck Accidents
Our San Antonio truck accident lawyers have handled cases involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries: Head trauma ranging from concussions to severe brain damage, affecting cognitive function permanently.
- Spinal cord injuries: Back and neck damage that may result in partial or complete paralysis.
- Broken bones and fractures: Multiple fractures requiring surgery, hardware implantation, and lengthy rehabilitation.
- Internal injuries: Organ damage and internal bleeding requiring emergency surgery
- Burns: Fires and explosions from fuel tanks cause severe burns and permanent scarring
- Amputations: Crush injuries and severe trauma sometimes require limb amputation
These catastrophic injuries change your life forever. You face years of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and adapting to permanent disabilities. The financial burden extends far beyond initial medical bills to include ongoing care, home modifications, lost earning capacity, and decreased quality of life.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are More Complicated
Truck accident cases involve layers of liability that don’t exist in regular car accidents. Multiple parties may share responsibility for your injuries, and each one will have lawyers and insurance companies protecting their interests.
The truck driver may be liable for negligent operation, but trucking companies often bear responsibility too. Employers are liable when they push drivers to violate hours of service regulations, fail to maintain vehicles properly, or hire drivers with poor safety records.
Federal regulations govern the trucking industry, creating additional legal requirements that don’t apply to regular drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets rules for hours of service, vehicle maintenance, driver qualifications, and cargo securement. Violations of these regulations strengthen your case by proving the trucking company’s negligence.
How The Texas Law Dog Handles Truck Accident Cases
We bring unique advantages to truck accident cases that other law firms can’t match. Our founder’s father is a trucker, which means we understand the industry from the inside. We know what regulations drivers should follow, what shortcuts companies take to increase profits, and what evidence to look for during investigations.
Our founder also owned insurance agencies in the past, giving him deep insight into how insurance companies evaluate claims and what tactics they use to minimize settlements. This combination of trucking industry knowledge and insurance industry experience creates a powerful advantage in negotiations and litigation.
Our team handles all communication with trucking companies and their insurers. These corporations have experienced lawyers working to minimize their liability from day one. We level the playing field by bringing equal legal firepower to protect your rights throughout the claims process.
Steps to Take After a San Antonio Truck Accident
What you do after a truck accident directly impacts your ability to recover full compensation. Follow these steps to protect your legal rights:
Get Medical Help Immediately
Call 911 to report the accident and request emergency medical assistance. Even if you feel your injuries are minor, get evaluated by paramedics. Truck accidents cause internal injuries and head trauma that don’t always show immediate symptoms.
Document the Truck and Scene
Take photos of the truck from all angles, capturing the company name, truck number, license plate, and DOT number displayed on the vehicle. Photograph all vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, and the overall accident scene. Get contact information from witnesses who saw the crash.
Don’t Give Statements to Trucking Companies
Trucking company representatives may arrive at the scene quickly, trying to get you to sign releases or give recorded statements. Be polite, but don’t discuss the accident with anyone except police officers. Tell them you need to consult with your attorney first.
Seek Comprehensive Medical Evaluation
Visit an emergency room or doctor within 24 hours for a complete medical evaluation. Some serious injuries may not cause obvious symptoms immediately but require urgent treatment.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney in San Antonio Immediately
Reach out to The Texas Law Dog as soon as possible after the accident. Trucking companies and their insurers start building their defense immediately. We need to get involved just as quickly to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Choose The Texas Law Dog for Your Truck Accident Case
We built our firm on the values of loyalty, compassion, and integrity. We don’t take shortcuts—we do it right the first time. Our unique combination of trucking industry knowledge and insurance industry experience gives us advantages other firms can’t match.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no surprise bills. We advance all case expenses and only get paid when you receive your settlement.
Contact The Texas Law Dog today for a free consultation with our San Antonio truck accident lawyers. We’ll review what happened, explain your legal options, and fight to recover every dollar you’re entitled to under Texas and federal law. Don’t let trucking companies and their insurers take advantage of you—call us now and let our team bite back on your behalf.
